§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Postmaster-General how many applications for telephones are outstanding in each of the Islands of Barra, South Uist, North Uist, Benbecula, Harris and Lewis; how many have been outstanding for less than a year; and how many for longer.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonThe figures are as follows:
— Applications outstanding Applications under enquiry or in course of being met Less than 1 year More than 1 year Total Bara 1 1 2 3 South Uist 2 2 4 2 North Uist 1 3 4 5 Benbecula 1 Nil 1 5 Harris Nil Nil Nil 3 Lewis Nil Nil Nil 8
§ Mr. Malcolm MacMillanasked the Postmaster-General how many applications for public telephone kiosks for the Outer Hebridean islands of Inverness- 182W shire by the local authorities concerned he has rejected in the past two years; how many from the local authorities concerned with the Isle of Lewis; and to what extent in the current and in the coming financial year his policy and programme will reflect in the numbers of additional telephone kiosks in the islands the relaxation by Her Majesty's Government of the restrictions upon capital expenditure by his Department.
§ Mr. K. ThompsonSix requests for kiosks on the Outer Hebridean Islands have not been accepted; one kiosk has been provided in this financial year and five are planned for next year. The figures for the Isle of Lewis are eight, one and one, respectively.
The availability of capital expenditure is not the sole criterion on which the provision of kiosks is based. Generous provision has already been made and I am satisfied that having regard to the high cost of these kiosks and the relatively small use being made of them that the additional provision is reasonable.